California Road Trip: Chasing Sunsets from SFO to LAX 🌅🚘

Buckle up for an epic 11-day adventure traversing California's most breathtaking landscapes. This road trip took us through the iconic streets of San Francisco to the majestic heights of Yosemite, the coastal charm of Monterey and Pismo, the laid-back vibes of Ojai, and finally, landing in the vibrant energy of Los Angeles.

Simon and I had the most magical adventure and I am so excited to share with you some of the gems we discovered along the way.

Skip ahead to find the hotels and must-sees for a specific location: San Francisco, Yosemite, Monterey & Carmel Valley, Pismo Beach, Ojai, and Santa Monica.

Day 1️⃣: San Francisco Exploration

Hotel: Stanford Court

Safe and centrally located location. You can easily walk to North Beach, Chinatown Town and Fisherman's Wharf! Was cheaper for us to book through Airbnb.

Simariel Rating: 5/5

# of Nights: 2

We arrived very late the night before, but thanks to the time change and excitement of a day of exploring, we woke up nice and early and strolled down to Fisherman's Wharf, where we started the day watching sea lions lounging like lazy sunbathers. San Francisco's hills are no joke - we found ourselves either craning our necks skyward or gawking at breathtaking views of ocean bridges and misty mountains. Chinatown buzzed with energy, and Fisherman's Wharf delighted us with its quirky arcade and unique shops, including an unmissable giant Bubba Gump Shrimp store.

Stumbling upon a charming café district, we discovered Café Angelo - a total gem with cozy outdoor seats and decent Wi-Fi. One hummus bagel and a creamy matcha latte later, life felt pretty perfect. After a productive work session, Simon and I made the executive decision to shut our laptops and embrace adventure: walking the Golden Gate Bridge.

We Ubered to the bridge, where a friendly local encouraged our bridge-crossing mission. Let me tell you, it was an adrenaline-fueled journey! Cyclists materialized out of thin air, creating what felt like, instant near-death experiences every millisecond. Would I recommend it? Only to my most daring friends. Yet, amidst the chaos, the bridge's stunning beauty was undeniable.

Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge!

The unexpected highlight? A hop-on-hop-off bus that turned into pure magic. Perched on the top deck during sunset, we inhaled salty sea air, our hair dramatically whipping in the wind, mountains silhouetted in the distance. Our tour guide's comedic routine transformed the journey from mere transportation to unforgettable entertainment.

We explored Golden Gate Gardens, Union Square, and the legendary Haight-Ashbury district. The tour guide pointed out the one and only DMV in the city that serves 900,000 people. His joke about bringing breakfast, lunch, dinner and a bed when going there had us comparing bureaucracy notes to Toronto.

We had so much fun on the Hop on Hop Off bus ride!

Wandering through North Beach, we sampled chocolates through Ghirabaldi park, had dinner at North Beach with great live music and rode the famous cable car - with Simon bravely standing the entire time and then, maybe one of our most exciting modes of transport of the days, a Waymo, drove us (safely!) back to the hotel.

Day 2️⃣: San Francisco to Yosemite

Hotel: Yosemite Valley Lodge

Amazing location! You can walk right to the hikes, which is why we chose to stay here. Not the fanciest of accommodations, but definitely a hikers paradise, featuring an extensive on-site shop, a Chalet-style cafeteria, a Huge indoor fireplace and wonderful communal spaces.

# of Nights: 2

Simariel Rating: 4/5

Morning began with a North Beach walk to my favorite coffee spot. I demolished another heavenly hummus bagel, drizzled with perfect olive oil and sprinkled with seasoning. After exploring some jaw-dropping residential streets, we picked up our rental car - and scored an unexpected birthday upgrade.

The drive to Yosemite was such an adventure. Departing around 11:30 AM with a 4 PM arrival goal, we rolled into the park around 5:30 PM, our journey freckled by delightful pit stops:

• Oakdale: A postcard-perfect town hosting a Christmas-themed farmers market

• Roadside fruit stand: Where we scored the freshest mandarins and walnuts

• Groveland: A little mountain town where I got a bagged salad at the local grocery store. It's not an official road trip until I'm munching on a bagged salad while Simon navigates winding roads

The landscape was breathtaking. El Capitan and Half Dome emerged in time for the setting sun to paint everything in golden hues. We arrived at Yosemite Village Lodge - a cozy chalet-style haven complete with a massive fire pit, inviting lounge, and a convenient cafeteria.

Day 3️⃣ Yosemite Hiking

Breakfast was a personal victory: our own oatmeal prepared with the lodge's hot water (small wins, right?). A slightly too-sweet Starbucks matcha latte provided the boost needed for our epic hiking adventure.

I had done so much research to plan which hikes we would do, but then the front desk had a list of nearby hikes explicitly selected for the time of year along with details of what to expect, so we chose one of their recommendations (a minute walk from our hote room,) and the trail was nothing short of spectacular. El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Waterfall competed for our attention, while the first mile tested our leg muscles with relentless uphill zigzags. We welcomed rock breaks for both sunbathing and snacking.

A late lunch from the on-site grocery store - an Amy's burrito that totally hit the spot - fueled our continued exploration. The free shuttle became our chariot, whisking us around Yosemite as the day melted into a stunning sunset.

Evening settled into a cozy rhythm. We nursed mugs of tea by the roaring fire, quietly preparing for the week ahead and reflecting on the day's adventures.

Day 4️⃣: Yosemite to Carmel Valley

Hotel: Carmel Mission Inn

This was a perfect spot to rest up and rejuvenate for a night. It's very nicely decorated and well-kept, and I got to prance around in my robe and head straight for the hot tub. The stores within walking distance all seem to close up pretty early, but all the hot spots are only a 10-15 minute drive.

# of Nights: 1

Simariel Rating: 4/5

An early morning meadow stop delivered a jaw-dropping view of El Capitan. Tiny, colourful dots inched up the mountain - rock climbers defying gravity. The sight was simultaneously awe-inspiring and stomach-churning, making me both respect and question human adventure limits.

Can you see the dots of hikers behind Simon?

We detoured to Merced and discovered ASIP Coffee - a coworking space that sparked instant productivity. The drive to Carmel Valley unfolded like a California tourism poster: rolling hills, sparkling lakes, and rustic ranches scrolling past our windows.

Monterey's Cannery district offered a wine-tasting restaurant with sunset views that seemed engineered for pure romance. Seals performed their evening ballet in the bay while Simon made friends through binoculars. A celebratory glass of wine and leisurely walk rounded out the evening before we retreated to our hotel.

Our accommodations were a dream - plush robes waiting in the room and an outdoor hot tub calling our names. With nearby shopping areas already closed, we leaned into a classic movie night, watching “Office Space” inspired by Elon Musk and his DOGE.

Day 5️⃣: Monterey Exploration and then off to Pismo

Hotel: The Cliffs Hotel and Spa

# of Nights: 2

Simariel Rating: 5/5

Asilomar Beach welcomed us with wooden paths suspended above dramatic cliffs and fascinating tide pools. Bookworks café became our temporary office - structured with a few more rules that felt necessary but was very cool cali, and perfectly positioned for work and pondering.

Highway One's closure guided us to an inland mountain route that turned out to be a blessing in disguise. We drove through mountains with the jungly Big Sur to our right, and made a quick stop in Montecito.

We arrived at our cliffside hotel just as sunset transformed the sky. Clouds melted into a pastel masterpiece, surfers carved through waves, and seals lounged below like lazy spectators.

Dinner at the hotel restaurant came with a soundtrack of crashing waves, and we later explored a lovely nearby university town called San Luis Obispo, soaking in its evening energy. I definitely recommend walking through this town!

Day 6️⃣: Simon's Birthday at Pismo Beach

Simon's birthday kicked off with a sunrise ocean cliff walk - nature's own birthday celebration.

We then drove a few minutes to Pismo Beach. Miles of sand sprinkled with abundant sand dollars. The pier wobbled slightly under our feet, adding an element of adventure. Playful seals performed their own birthday entertainment in the waters below.

We returned to our hotel just in time for another breathtaking sunset, this time enjoyed from the steamy comfort of the hot tub.

Day 7️⃣: Heading to Ojai

Hotel: The Capri Hotel

# of Nights: 2

Simariel Rating: 5/5

A shopping spree in picturesque San Luis Obispo resulted in a whole new capsule wardrobe for moi! The drive to Ojai unfolded like a scenic postcard, coastal mountains and ocean views competing for our attention.

The Capri Hotel charmed us instantly - a retro 60s throwback complete with a pool, hot tub, and walking distance to the town's main street filled with shopping, markets and restaurants.

We explored a lively farmers market, discovered a whimsical witchy tea house (where I scored an intuition journal), and enjoyed sushi and corn tempura at a local Izakaya bar.

Day 8️⃣: Space X Launch, Santa Barbara and Ojai Sunsets

We headed to Santa Barbara for the morning to catch a Space X Rocket Launch!! The town radiated boho chic vibes - healthy cafés on every corner and a pier perfect for leisurely exploration. Backyard Bowls provided our smoothie fix.

The SpaceX rocket launch painted the sky with a flaming ember, followed by a boom so massive it sent local birds scattering in panic. We were so immersed and it happened so quickly that we were content just taking it all in without trying to snap a photo simultaneously. Back in Ojai, we hiked just in time to catch a sunset, encountered a mesmerizing hummingbird, and got lost in the wonderland of Bert's massive outdoor bookstore.

Dinner at the Duchess was impressively wonderful considering they forgot to bring us any food. But they made amends by eventually bringing it out and comping the entire meal. We capped off the night at a charming Christmas market hosted at a local bungalow hotel where each vendor decorated their own hotel room for us to browse through.

Day 9️⃣: Final Moments in Ojai, Topanga National Park and finally, Santa Monica

Hotel: Sandbourne Santa Monica, Autograph Collection

# of Nights: 2

Simariel Rating: 5/5

Not quite ready to bid farewell, we packed up and wandered into town for a farewell breakfast, already nostalgic for our trip.

The hotel receptionist became our unexpected travel guru. She recommended a local smoothie spot - one I'd heard of before - and then surprised us with an alternative: Rainbow Bridge Natural Food, a hidden gem that promised cheaper prices, faster service, and better taste. Sounded great to us!

I couldn't believe this incredible spot had escaped my research. The smoothie was divine, and I couldn't resist trying a quinoa lentil patty from the hot food station. This place was a quick-service dream, with ready-to-order meals and smoothies, plus an extensive health food store that would have been dangerous if we weren't at the tail end of our road trip.

Our wandering continued down the main street, where we stumbled upon our third market in three days! 3 Markets in, I was starting to recognize local faces! Simon developed a running joke that he'd become a master potter if we ever lived in Ojai -seems like ceramic skills are practically a local requirement.

After browsing a few more shops, we returned to the hotel and lounged by the fireplace, preparing for our next adventure to Santa Monica.

A spontaneous hike in Topanga National Park (a shoutout to "Boy Meets World" for putting this beautiful valley on our radar) proved to be the perfect mid-journey break. The Topanga Lookout trail offered a few steep inclines but remained relatively easy - as one fellow hiker (along with her pet horse!) described it as a great warm-up walk for her horse. Grateful for my hiking boots during those steeper sections!

We reached an incredible peak with a panoramic view of the Santa Monica Hills, followed by an exhilaratingly steep descent down the mountain.

Just 15 minutes later, we arrived at the Sandbourne Hotel - and wow, what a find! The fancy, Flintstones-meets-Spanish furniture had me completely charmed.

After a quick moment to drop off our belongings in our room, we raced to the Santa Monica pier for sunset, made gloriously easy by the hotel's direct beach access. A nearby saxophonist provided the perfect soundtrack as the sky transformed into a canvas of colours. Hunger struck, but the sunset was too magical to abandon. We grabbed a quick pier-side bite, mesmerized by the changing sky.

The promenade beckoned next, and we dove into shop exploration. A quirky mini-put spot and the Apple Store provided entertainment - I even got to test out the Oculus!

As he so often does, Simon summoned live music out of thin air. We discovered Tr!p, a hole-in-the-wall bar a short Uber ride away. Initially packed, we soon realized we were the only non-regulars. The chatty bar owner was thrilled to share insights about the performing bands. Three 45-minute sets of country-rock later, we were completely transformed.

The night concluded perfectly: a drink by the hotel pool's fire, followed by "Holes" and sushi in our room. Classic!

 Day 🔟: Santa Monica Adventures

Our last full day in California began with outdoor pool swimming and sauna relaxation - the ultimate morning reset.

We walked from Santa Monica to Marina Del Rey, clocking an impressive 23,000 steps. The journey was a vibrant California montage: skaters at Muscle Beach, frisbee competitions, conversations with local art vendors - each moment a postcard-worthy memory.

Brunch called us to Great White, a spot so popular it had a swarm of hungry patrons. The 25-minute wait flew by as we explored Venice Beach. The meal was absolutely worth the wait, featuring natural, creative ingredients that seemed to capture California's essence. Somehow, without even having chocolate chips, the banana bread stole the show; it was crispy and moist in all the right ways!

The day continued with nature's live show. We wandered through the estuary, spotting herons and sea lions. The marina treated us to a loud, playful sea lion performance that felt like an exclusive wildlife documentary.

Sunset found us perched on a hill, overlooking the sea, a massive red sun, and the Venice Beach pier - a moment of pure, breathtaking tranquility.

An Uber whisked us back to the hotel for a scrumptious, cozy dinner complete with provided blankets. We packed, set our alarms for the alarming hour of 2:30 AM, and drifted off to sleep.

Day 1️⃣1️⃣: Homeward Bound

We returned the car to LAX and hopped on our flight! Home time!

Happy Travels! 🚗🌄